Question About Military WDW Travel...?

[TheGreatMazzu]

Hello! :>

So... my g/f is leaving for basic training in a couple months, and is coming back for Christmas Exodus around the end of December... when exactly this is going to happen is yet to be determined D: We want to try to take a trip to Disney around that time... we're thinking the 22nd to the 27th right now. What we're trying to figure out is, while she's home for Christmas Exodus, will she be able to go to the IRR office on the base nearby to take advantage of the Military Salute offer? When I was in the service, I went to basic in the middle of the summer... so I definitely wouldn't know how exactly it would work in terms of being able to retain the military ID when you're breaking for Christmas and I never got to take advantage of the Military Salute in the first place, so there's that, too.

Any other tips you guys can offer to save a little green at the parks? We've looked at Shades of Green, but we'd prefer to stay at a Disney resort to take advantage of the extra perks they offer. Any info you guys might have, though, would be amazing. Thanks!

 

[com_op_2000]

You might want to book your stay yesterday!
Almost all resorts are already booked solid for that week, as it is one of the busiest of the year.

 

[TheGreatMazzu]

You might want to book your stay yesterday!
Almost all resorts are already booked solid for that week, as it is one of the busiest of the year.

Can the stay be booked without the need to pay? Because if not, I'll have to wait until October and pretty much hope for the best :/

 

[com_op_2000]

Can the stay be booked without the need to pay? Because if not, I'll have to wait until October and pretty much hope for the best :/

You will need to contact Disney CRO about the requirements for paying. I have not stayed at a cash resort in over 20 years.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

To answer the military id question, once your GF is sworn in and starts basic, she'll have an id. It certainly won't be retained while she's on Christmas leave.
As long as she has an active duty id, she'll have no trouble buying military tickets.

Your problem is, who know what will happen between now and December? She may fail basic, her basic start may be delayed, the leave may be cancelled, etc. If you are making any deposits which cannot be refunded, get trip insurance which will cover this.

 

[tinkstoes]

I'm also in the military. I would make sure any discounts you want to use are still in effect. I am planning a solo trip and found out one of the weekends I'm looking at no longer will have any discounts available. Once she is sworn in, if she happens to get any free time/liberty have her go to the MWR office and purchase tickets. I was told earlier this year when I bought some for my family they can be bought whenever as long as they are used by the end of the year.

 

[Tonopah]

From "MilitaryDisneyTips.com":

Military Appreciation Theme Park Tickets are blocked out from 22 Dec - 2 Jan
Military Appreciation Resort Discounts are blocked out from 24-31 Dec

You can still go, of course, but you may have to pay full prices.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

From "MilitaryDisneyTips.com":

Military Appreciation Theme Park Tickets are blocked out from 22 Dec - 2 Jan
Military Appreciation Resort Discounts are blocked out from 24-31 Dec

You can still go, of course, but you may have to pay full prices.

Good point - I forgot about blackout dates:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/military-4-day-tickets/

Walt Disney World Resort is saluting U.S. military personnel by offering Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets. The Park Hopper Option is included, so you can come and go as you please through all 4 theme parks each day of your ticket!

Current Offer Tickets

Purchase now through September 24, 2014 and receive admission on any 4 days now through September 27, 2014 for just $169, plus tax.

And if you’re looking for a little extra magic, add the Water Park Fun & More option for just $29 more, plus tax.

New Offer Tickets

Purchase from August 25, 2014 through September 30, 2015 and receive admission on any 4 days for just $177 plus tax, from September 28, 2014 through October 3, 2015, with the exception of the following blockout dates:

December 22, 2014 through January 2, 2015
March 29, 2015 through April 9, 2015

 

[Luv2Run]

Since the dates you'd like for your armed forces salute/military discount on room rates are blacked out, you may want to consider staying at Shades of Green. At least those rooms are a little less costly, and are tiered in prices depending on rank, so that junior enlisted personnel pay less than, say, senior enlisted or officers. Just some food for thought.